The Brooklyn Nets seemed to be poised to trade for a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo, although a recent trade rumor suggests they might take a different approach.
The Brooklyn Nets, who enjoy playing in the biggest media market in the entire NBA, have had their fair share of “superteams.” Their core of Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant did not live up to expectations, nor did their roster of Kevin Garnett, Brook Lopez, Paul Pierce, and Deron Williams.
In an effort to return to relevancy, at the very least, the Nets have long been named as a potential suitor for Giannis Antetokounmpo. They were working under the assumption that the Nets would land a better pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, although the lottery was not friendly, and the Nets would pick eighth overall.
As a result of the lottery slide, the Nets are expected to pivot.
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY SportsNBA trade rumors suggest Nets will rebuild via the draft
Brooklyn, thanks to some savvy trades to dismantle their last Big Three, has four first-round picks in 2025 and will pick eighth, 19th, 26th, and 27th.
While there will certainly be talent on the board in the late first round, the Nets are expected to package their later picks and try to add an additional lottery pick.
“There is a sentiment around the league that the Nets could look to land a second lottery pick by consolidating and packaging some combination of Johnson, those picks at the end of the first round and/or future draft capital,” wrote the New York Post’s Brian Lewis.
If the Nets trade Cameron Johnson, one of their best pieces in a possible trade for Antetokounmpo will no longer be in play.
That would force Brooklyn to build around existing young pieces like Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas, and bolster their core with two marquee talents in the 2025 draft.
Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty ImagesPossible trade partners for Brooklyn
If the Nets want to package Johnson and late picks to move up in the draft, a true rebuilding team like the Utah Jazz or Washington Wizards don’t make much sense as a trade partner.
Those teams would rather add a younger talent with more potential than an established shooting threat.
The Philadelphia 76ers make plenty of sense, as they would be a perfect landing spot for a spot-up shooter like Johnson, although the third overall pick might be too costly for the Nets to add. Within reason, four teams stand out as the best trade partners.
If the Nets try to trade up into the lottery, the San Antonio Spurs (14th overall), Houston Rockets (10th overall), New Orleans Pelicans (seventh overall), and Atlanta Hawks (13th overall) make the most sense.
All of those teams have either a franchise centerpiece or a proven playoff roster, and Johnson would round out their title hopes better than an unproven rookie.
The Nets won’t be able to steal the second overall pick from the Spurs, but their 14th pick, owed to them from the Hawks, is in play.
A move like that would keep the Nets near the bottom of the standings next season, but it would allow them to finally build organically in a search for long-term success.